Engagement & Teen Experiences

Peer relationships are incredibly important to teens, and the content of those relationships is formative to their connections to their own Jewish identity and community. Research from the Cohen Center at Brandeis University validates the relevance of understanding teen development to Jewish identity formation, and focuses on the “6Cs”:

Competence: Positive view of one’s ability to achieve in various areas, including social, cognitive and emotional.

Confidence: An internal sense of overall positive self-worth.

Connection: Positive bonds and development of relationships with peers, family, school, and community.

Caring: A sense of sympathy and empathy for others.

Character: Respect for norms and standards of acceptable behavior, morality and integrity.

Understanding the significant opportunity to positively impact teen’s Jewish identity development and commitment to Jewish community, the Samis Foundation made an increased commitment starting in 2016 to teen engagement and developing a meaningful connection between Seattle teens and Israel. While this work continues to evolve, our early investments in this space have focused on a few key areas:

Encouraging and supporting more teens to go to Israel on educational experiences. Our hope is that the Foundation’s support can encourage more families to consider sending their teens for a high school Israel experience, and remove the financial barriers to doing so. We believe it’s valuable for teens to go to Israel before a potential Birthright experience in college;

Supporting teens to be active agents in the world, making positive change today while developing skills and values they will use throughout their lives; and

Creating a diverse, rich and meaningful menu of opportunities for Jewish teens to continue their learning and social engagement regardless of background or prior Jewish educational experience.

Seattle Trips to Israel

Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI) — one semester long residential high school program in Israel. The Samis Foundation funding, in partnership with a national funder, means the semester in Israel is free for Washington State teens.

Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle’s Samis Israel Experience Voucher. This funding incentivises teens to participate in a summer Israel experience by providing a voucher to lower the cost of these trips. (Not need-based)